Some basketball legends have proven their talents go beyond the court, as they make their mark as brand ambassadors, entrepreneurs, and businessmen. Here's a look at the NBA players with the highest net worths.
40. Pat Riley - $80 Million
This NBA old-timer played with the San Diego Rockets, the L.A. Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns. Following an almost decade-long career, Riley retired after the 1975-1976 season. Today, he is recognized as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, and it's not hard to see why.
Riley has won five NBA championships while working as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks, and the Miami Heat. He is now president of the South Florida team. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Pat has a whopping net worth of $80 million.
39. Juwan Howard - $80 Million
Juwan Howard played in the NBA from 1994 until 2013 and was the first NBA athlete to sign a $100 million contract. That's one way to know you're one of the most desired players on the court! Today, Celebrity Net Worth puts Howard's net worth at $80 million.
The athlete's basketball career has continued post-retirement. Juwan was an assistant coach for the Heat and is currently the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team. The former NBA star has also worked in television, landing various small roles in The West Sing, Beyond the Glory, and other shows.
38. DeAndre Jordan - $80 Million
This Houston, Texas native played college basketball with Texas A&M for one season before going pro. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Jordan in 2008. The NBA star then played with the Dallas Mavericks before changing coasts for the New York Knicks.
Today, DeAndre plays center for the Brooklyn Nets. Jordan currently holds the NBA record for best career field goal percentage. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the athlete has earned around $130 million in salary alone and has an impressive net worth of $80 million.
37. Chris Webber - $80 Million
Chris Webber left professional basketball in 2008, but a career in music production and sports television has kept the retired athlete's cash flow going. Webber takes the 37th spot on this list with a net worth of $80 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Chris played on five pro teams before his retirement. He then became an analyst on NBA TV's Game Time Live, an occasional guest analyst on Inside the NBA, and a panelist for TNT's Monday basketball coverage, Players Only. Webber has also produced hip-hop records, including songs for rapper Nas.
36. Zach Randolph - $85 Million
Taking us up by a couple of digits is Zach Randolph, who Celebrity Net Worth reports has a net worth of about $85 million. This NBA star was born in Indiana and left after Michigan State recruited him to play college ball. In 2001, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him to the NBA.
Randolph spent six seasons with the Oregon team. He later played with the New York Knicks, the L.A. Clippers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Sacramento Kings. Zach retired in December 2019 but came out of retirement in 2020 to join Ice Cube's basketball league, the Big3.
35. Tyson Chandler - $85 million
Tyson Chandler grew up on a family farm in Hanford, California. The iconic player started shooting hoops when he was three years old. But Chandler learned his strong work ethic elsewhere: on the farm. Tyson milked cows, slopped pigs, and took care of crops.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates that the boy from humble beginnings now has a net worth of about $85 million. Chandler went pro straight out of high school and has played with eight different NBA teams. He has been named to the NBA All-Star Defensive Team three times and won two gold medals with the US national team.
34. Tony Parker - $85 Million
This European basketball legend joined the NBA nearly two decades ago after playing with the Paris Basket Racing for two years. Parker was drafted by the Spurs and quickly became their starting point guard. He won four championships in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.
Parker's business ventures go outside the world of sports. The music-lover released a French-language hip-hop album in 2007. The record featured a song with Tony's ex-wife, Eva Longoria, which reached #1 on the French charts. Other projects and investments have led to an $85 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
33. Paul George - $90 Million
With an NBA salary of over $35 million, Paul George earns a spot on this list and the rankings of highest-paid basketball players on the planet. Throw in an impressive roster of brand partnerships, and it's hardly surprising George has a net worth of $90 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
Paul has played with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Los Angeles Clippers. The basketball pro is a six-time NBA All-Star, a five-time member of the All-NBA team, and a four-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team. Celebrity Net Worth estimates George makes $8 million a year from endorsements.
32. Kyrie Irving - $90 Million
Irving played college ball with the Duke Blue Devils before being drafted by the NBA's Cavaliers in 2011. The new draftee won Rookie of the Year and went on to become a six-time All-Star and two-time member of the All-NBA Team. In case we weren't already impressed, Kyrie also won an NBA championship with Cleveland in 2016.
Celebrity Net Worth reports the athlete sits on a whopping net worth of $90 million. Irving has endorsement deals with Pepsi, Nike, and Skullcandy, to name a few. His shoe deal with Nike alone is worth about $11 million, and Kyrie's signature line is among the brand's best-selling products.
31. Derrick Rose - $90 Million
Derrick Rose joined the NBA over a decade ago, and he is still rocking the court as a point guard with the New York Knicks. The 32-year-old previously played for the Chicago Bulls, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Detroit Pistons.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the basketball star has a net worth of $90 million. Aside from a significant NBA salary, Derrick has made bank through deals with Adidas, Wilson Sporting Goods, Skullcandy headphones, Powerade, Fore Factor sports drinks, and Nissan.
30. Steve Nash - $95 Million
Nash wowed audiences with his talents as he played with three different teams throughout his career. Today, Nash is the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and has a net worth of $95 million, as Celebrity Net Worth states.
When Bleacher Report asked Nash if not winning a title during his NBA career haunts him, he had an admirable response. "I mean, it's not fun. I wish we did win one, but at the same time, you get one life," he said. "I wish I could have one more chance, but I can't, so I enjoy watching the guys go through it now."
29. Isiah Thomas - $100 Million
Officially bringing us into nine digits, Isiah Thomas earns 29th place in our ranking. The former NBA pro has a net worth of $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Thomas may have retired in 1994, but his sports career did not end there.
After playing with the Detroit Pistons for 13 seasons, Thomas founded and served as CEO Isiah International LLC, a ventures and investments company. He's also been a part-owner of sports teams, Head Coach for the Indiana Pacers, and President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks - to name a few of his experiences.
28. Joe Johnson - $100 Million
Joe Johnson, also known as "Iso Joe" for his one-on-one scoring and ball-holding with the Atlanta Hawks, takes the number 28 spot on this list. Celebrity Net Worth reports the talented athlete holds a net worth of around $100 million. Not too shabby!
After leaving the Houston Rockets, Johnson joined legendary rapper Ice Cube's basketball league, BIG3. Joe dominated the court, breaking the scoring record and winning the MVP award during the league's third season. Whether it's on the NBA courts or the BIG3, he brings his best.
27. Ray Allen - $100 Million
For almost a decade, Ray Allen graced the courts with various NBA teams, from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat. In 2018, the star athlete was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Celebrity Net Worth estimates Allen's worth to be about $100 million.
There's no arguing Ray worked hard for his money. "At this stage, 90% of my life is my job," Allen said in his mid-twenties. "That's all I do. A lot of 25-year-olds are probably the same way. To be the best, you have to be completely focused." No wonder he was able to sink 2,973 career three-pointers, the most in NBA history.
26. Vince Carter - $110 Million
Vince played in the NBA from 1998 to 2020 and was a member of eight different teams. Now, the retired pro is a basketball analyst for ESPN and boasts a net worth of $110 million, as stated by Celebrity Net Worth. Carter wants to keep his cash flow coming and he's not in it alone.
Luckily for him, Vince's mom majored in business, and he's had a single trustworthy accountant throughout his pro career. "There's tough lessons to learn in the beginning, and [the accountant's] like, 'Enjoy your life, but being frugal is not a bad thing,'" Carter once recalled.
25. Blake Griffin - $110 Million
Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons is a 6x NBA All-Star and a 5x All-NBA selection. With a net worth of about $110 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, it's pretty safe to say this athlete's made it big. But his success hasn't come without a few regrets.
Griffin discussed how the media's treatment of him as a rookie changed his way of being. "I just heard so much negativity and so much hate that I sort of turned myself off, whether it was some reporters or some people... I just closed myself off," he said. "And looking back, I wish I'd handled it differently."
24. Chris Bosh - $110 Million
Chris Bosh played for Georgia Tech for a year before getting drafted by the Toronto Raptors. But the skilled forward will arguably always be remembered for his time as a member of the Miami Heat's "The Big Three." Celebrity Net Worth puts Chris's value at a comfy $110 million.
The former Miami Heat icon is the first to admit that he hardly knows what to do with his incredible wealth. "I have millions of dollars and I don't know finance," Chris revealed to ESPN. "I've had some bad things happen in my career. I've got to educate myself."
23. Kevin Garnett - $120 Million
Garnett spent 21 seasons in the NBA and is one of a handful of players to hold both the Most Valuable Player and the Defensive Player of the Year awards. He sits on a casual net worth of $120 million, as listed by Celebrity Net Worth. But the road to success was at times overwhelming for this iconic athlete from a humble background.
"Man, when you come into some fame, everything changes. Your finances change, your mindset changes, your lifestyle changes," Garnett explained. "Your mom and dad never made this kind of money. It's so much change, and you're living your life, but you don't have a cheat sheet."
22. Chris Paul - $130 Million
Back in the day, Paul won NBA Rookie of the Year. About 16 years into his career, Chris holds two Olympic gold medals and was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 2013. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the basketball star boasts a worth of $130 million.
In 2019, Paul revealed that while our favorite athletes "talk about everything in the locker room," they don't discuss money. But Chris is trying to change that, as he wants to make sure no more pros go broke post-retirement. "That's why I try to talk to guys because it happens. This is a short career," he said.
21. Stephen Curry - $130 Million
Since going pro in 2009, Stephen Curry has been a star athlete for the Golden State Warriors. Some analysts and players have labeled him the greatest shooter in NBA history. Yeah, that's a pretty big deal. The cherry on top? Celebrity Net Worth estimates Curry has a net worth of $130 million.
During an appearance on Facebook Watch's The Game, Curry shared his recipe for success – work hard and don't take any shortcuts. "Whether we win another championship or not, I want to feel like I did everything I could to make that happen and not cheat the game," he said.
20. Tim Duncan - $130 Million
Tim Duncan, also known as the "Big Fundamental," is considered by some to be the greatest power forward of all time. With that in mind, it's hardly surprising that the retired pro earned a spot on this list with a whopping net worth of $130 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
According to Duncan, haters are his motivators. "With all that success early, all that did was put a target on my back," Tim said. "Everybody wanted to be better than me. Everybody wanted to beat me. Everybody wanted to beat the Spurs, so that's the motivation to stay on top."
19. Dwight Howard - $140 Million
Currently playing with the Philadelphia 76ers, Howard has been a part of seven different teams during his 17-year NBA career. The iconic player is an NBA champion, 8x All-Star, and 3x Defensive Player of the Year, to name a few of his accolades. Celebrity Net Worth values him at $140 million.
After winning his first championship in 2020, the athlete shared an emotional message. "Don't ever give up on your dreams. You can... do it. I swear, just keep fighting. I swear to God, don't ever give up on yourself," Dwight said. "Bro, listen, don't ever give up on yourself. You're already a champion."
18. Dirk Nowitzki - $140 Million
This European legend has a net worth of $140 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. The 13x All-Star spent 21 glorious seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, a record for an NBA player at a single team. The German-born sharpshooter is also one of the highest-paid NBA players of all time.
Dirk earned over $250 million during his time playing professional basketball. Before retiring, Nowitzki said, "I take my sport damned seriously. Basketball is my life... I'm a brooder, and I spend a lot of time thinking about my opponent, about the things he can do and about what I have to do to win."
17. Yao Ming - $160 Million
Yao Ming played for the Houston Rockets and is the only player from outside the U.S. to lead in NBA All-Star votes. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Ming's net worth has grown to an impressive $160 million since ending his career in professional basketball.
Yet Yao's most valuable item might be a dollar his former teammates once jokingly gifted him for the Chinese New Year. "I still have one of those two-dollar bills inside my pocket, and I carried it since then," Yao shared. "Because I know no matter where I go, as long as that bill's in my pocket, home is with me."
16. Carmelo Anthony - $160 Million
This legendary NBA player is a 10x All-Star, has won three Olympic gold medals, and has earned millions in earnings. Carmelo also owns a venture capital firm called Melo7 Tech Partners. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Anthony sits on a whopping $160 million.
And it looks like his fortune might grow exponentially sometime soon. When LeBron James tweeted that he wants to "put together an ownership group for the [Atlanta] Dream," a WNBA franchise, and buy the team from its current owner, Anthony expressed his interest. "Let's talk, bro!" he wrote back.
15. James Harden - $165 Million
Harden played with Oklahoma City and the Houston Rockets before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The incredible athlete has a net worth of about $165 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. James is still just as motivated to succeed as he was in 2009 as an NBA rookie.
"I pretty much reached and accomplished every individual stat and award that I can or that I'd want to. And it's always been about winning," he recently said. "Obviously, we've fallen short and didn't reach the goal... That's the reason why I'm here in Brooklyn. I'm still trying to chase that goal, chase that dream."
14. Russell Westbrook - $170 Million
Russell Westbrook is considered one of the world's highest-paid athletes when both his salary and endorsements are taken into account. In 2017, the star signed a deal with Jordan Brand reportedly worth $150-$200 million, and that's just one of his partnerships.
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Westbrook's value to be about $170 million. According to Russell, he's just trying to stay in the moment. "I take it one day at a time," the player said after a game. "Enjoy this win tonight, go home, enjoy my family, and then get ready for [the next game] when that comes."
13. Kevin Durant - $170 Million
It's clear this Brooklyn Nets forward has already begun strategizing how to stay rich with or without a basketball in his hand. Durant co-founded Thirty Five Ventures, which invests and helps operate an expanding collection of media, tech and culture start-ups. Today, he has a net worth of $170 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
For KD, his NBA success is inextricable from his business ventures. "What's most important is to take care of my body so I can put my product back on the court," he said in 2019 while sidelined with an injury. "How well you play on the court determines how big your business is going to grow."
12. Dwyane Wade - $170 Million
Dwyane Wade has an estimated net worth of $170 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The site also places his wife Gabrielle Union's net worth at $40 million. It's probably pretty amazing to be the child of this incredible power couple. (We'll just keep on dreaming for now.)
Retiring in 2019, Wade engages in numerous ventures off the court. The legendary player has his own line of neckties, socks, and underwear, starred in the docuseries BackCourt Wade, partnered with Sacks Fifth Avenue, and has a shoe deal with Chinese brand Li-Ning. He's also been building his broadcasting résumé.
11. Luol Deng - $200 Million
Since leaving the NBA, Luol has invested in a range of projects, from houses in the Hamptons to multifamily units in Baltimore. Celebrity Net Worth states that Deng's net worth stands at an impressive $200 million. And this generous millionaire wants to see his peers succeed, too.
Luol has hosted real estate conferences to help other athletes maintain their wealth. "We talk about players going broke, but we don't talk about why this is happening," Deng said. "The symposiums were a way to teach players about real estate and foster a better understanding of these kinds of investments."
10. David Robinson - $200 Million
During Robinson's career with the San Antonio Spurs, the iconic athlete won two NBA championships, two Olympic Gold Medals, and the league MVP. Robinson's post-retirement career as a venture capitalist and advisor has led to a $200 million net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Lucky for us, the entrepreneur revealed his top three career tips. "Honor God with your first fruits, do the very best you can at everything you do and take pride in your work, and do unto others as you'd have them do unto you," Robinson shared with Forbes.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon - $200 Million
Olajuwon played professional basketball for nearly two decades and spent time with the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors. In 1994, Hakeem was named the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP. In recent years, he has added to his wealth through real estate investments.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Olajuwon has a net worth of about $200 million. But the former professional athlete star doesn't let the riches get to his head. "I was successful materially, but I know life is much more than wordly success," he once said.
8. Grant Hill - $250 Million
Grant Hill had great success early on, winning two national championships at Duke and an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Olympics. He quickly became a household name and went on to have a 19-year career in the NBA. Today, Celebrity Net Worth reports he has a net worth of $250 million.
After retiring from the NBA, Hill became a host for NBA Inside Stuff. The star later purchased the Atlanta Hawks with investor Tony Ressler, skyrocketing his worth. "There are so many values and principles that one can take from sports, from team sports, and apply to life," Grant said, as he explained how his on-court experiences helped him in business.
7. Vinnie Johnson - $400 Million
In 1992, Vinnie Johnson left the NBA with a comfortable sum of $5 million in earnings from his basketball career. A few years later, he got back to work off the court. Johnson founded an automobile supply company, fittingly named The Piston Group, and it quickly took off.
The Piston Group eventually became the leading supplier of auto parts to GM, Ford Motor Company, and others. In 2020, the corporation earned over $3 billion in revenue. That might have something to do with Vinnie's net worth of $400 million, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.
6. Shaquille O'Neal - $400 Million
Since his 2011 retirement, this star's fortune has only grown. Celebrity Net Worth puts O'Neal's net worth at a whopping $400 million. Shaquille's secret to success? "[I] heard Jeff Bezos say one time he makes his investments based on if it's going to change peoples' lives," he explained.
"Once I started doing that strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I'm worth." One of the former athlete's greatest moves has been investing in Krispy Kreme, which he called "a fabulous doughnut." Shaq added, "I was introduced to it in college and have been in love with it ever since." Mmm.
5. LeBron James - $500 Million
It's hardly surprising to find LeBron James on this list, with an estimated net worth of $500 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. Aside from a killer salary and smart investments, it might be LeBron's saving habits that helped amass his wealth.
After Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union said James was the cheapest athlete they've traveled with during a Live With Kelly and Ryan segment, LeBron confirmed the news. "I'm not turning on data roaming. I'm not buying no apps. I still got Pandora with commercials," he shared.
4. Kobe Bryant - $600 Million
Before this basketball legend left us all too soon, he was known for his accomplishments with the Lakers as well as in business. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the late Kobe Bryant had a net worth of $600 million, earning him a spot as one of the richest NBA players of all time.
The star once had the second-most all-time earnings from his on-court career and partnerships with more than 20 brands including Nike, McDonald's, and Coca-Cola. Bryant multiplied his earnings by investing huge sums in businesses and small start-ups via his venture capital firm, Bryant Stibel, founded in 2013.
3. Junior Bridgeman - $600 Million
There was a time when Junior Bridgeman spent most of his waking hours on the court. Now, he can be found in his corporate office running Bridgeman Foods, Inc. and Bridgeman Sports and Media. Bridgeman was previously an owner of over 100 Wendy's and Chili's restaurants.
Junior's hard work has led to an estimated net worth of $600 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. It was observing NBA owners' meetings that initially inspired him. "They got their self-fulfillment out of making and creating something successful," he explained. "I said to myself, 'That will last longer than basketball.'"
2. Magic Johnson - $600 Million
After retiring from the NBA, Magic Johnson successfully transitioned from star athlete to star entrepreneur and now has an estimated net worth of $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The former Los Angeles Lakers player is the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises and part-owner of multiple sports teams in L.A.
During a 2020 interview, Johnson described how he gained respect off the court as a businessman. "[My company has] been successful, we've been able to drive our way. Everybody said, 'Okay, yeah, I see he knows business.' Now I'm good, but I had to build that track record of success over time."
1. Michael Jordan - $1.6 Billion
Michael Jordan tops this list of the NBA's wealthiest players and many other lists naming the richest athletes across all sports. According to Forbes, the former basketball star's net worth is currently valued at $1.6 billion. So, how did MJ come to earn his epic fortune?
The former Chicago Bulls player had a multi-million dollar NBA salary before his retirement. Since then, he has continued to work with Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, and more. Jordan also bought a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2010, adding a nice cushion to his wealth. Maybe he really is the GOAT after all.